Spring 11 Masthead
Week of April 25, 2011
Fun in Your Community This Week!
smartlink logo 2
IN THIS ISSUE
A special art exhibit
Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update in concert
The Special Needs Family Health and Fitness Expo
The Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts
Ballet Folklorico Mexico
FREE fitness programs throughout May
QUICK LINKS
find us on facebook

follow us on twitter

Envision Prince George's
Parks and Recreation live more, play more logoGreetings!

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has lots for everyone to enjoy here in Prince George's County. Live more, play more at the park and recreation facilities in your community. Enjoy great art, and terrific jazz and dance performances.  Attend the Special Needs Family Healthy and Fitness Expo and the Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts. Explore the park system and enjoy the social, healthy, fun recreation programs and activities.


The Department of Parks and Recreation Marketing Team
Big Ideas and Community Spirit
big ideasEnjoy extraordinary art at Brentwood Arts Exchange@ Gateway Arts Center from April 26-June 11. Big Ideas celebrates the beginning of the center's second year of operation with an exhibition by Sondra N. Arkin, Susan Finsen and Ellyn Weiss. Three sides of the gallery around Big Ideas will feature new, large-scale paintings that Arkin and Finsen created specifically for the exhibition. On the fourth side, culminating in time for the May 7 opening reception, Weiss will create a mural-sized mixed media drawing. These artists' works are designed to visually interact with and complement the group's collaborative installation, Community Spirit, a site-specific work that commands the gallery in a unique way. People will be invited to write their own thoughts and add them to the installation. As its form develops through that participation, Community Spirit will evolve into a snapshot of our shared experience. For information call 301-277-2863.
A great jazz concert
Jeff Antoniuk
The last jazz concert in this year's Montpelier Spring Jazz Series will be held on Friday, April 29 at 8 pm. Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update will be performing. Saxophonist, educator and composer, Jeff and his group play Montpelier Arts Center (Laurel) for the first time. The group includes Antoniuk on sax, Wade Beach on piano, Tom Baldwin on bass, and Tony Martucci on drums. Tickets ($20/person; $18 for members or seniors 60+) are available from the center; call 301-377-7800.
The Special Needs Family Health and Fitness Expo
therapeutic recOn Saturday, April 30, the FREE Special Needs Family Healthy and Fitness Expo will take place at Glenn Dale Community Center from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Sponsored by M-NCPPC, Prince George's County, The One World Center for Autism, Inc., and Campabilities, the expo will offer an amazing day of fun and enrichment for the entire family. Enjoy face painting, miniature golf, blood pressure screening, fitness demonstrations, roller skating, a petting zoo, basketball and more!  All ages and abilities are welcome. Participate in a 3K Fun Walk on the WB&A Trail (paved surface) starting at 10:30 am (same day registration available from 9:30-10:30 am). You may also pre-register for the 3K Fun Walk via e-mail: campabilitiesmaryland@live.com or call 301-618-8395. For more information about this event call 301-446-3436.
A festival focusing on herbs, tea and the arts
cup of teaThe Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts, on the beautiful grounds of Montpelier Mansion and Arts Center (Laurel), takes place on Saturday, April 30 from 10 am-4 pm. Admission is FREE. This year's theme is "teas of the world."  Vendors with crafts, fine art, gourmet food, garden accessories, herbs and plants will be there. Workshops, lectures, live entertainment (including an authentic Chinese lion dance), an African choir, Indian dance, the CAISO Steel Drum Band, and more will be held. Also enjoy mansion tours, open art studios, tea in the mansion, a "teas of the world" tea tasting and hands-on art and history activities for all ages. There'll be talks and demos on silhouette making, vegetable gardening, herbal skin care, kite making, basket making and more.  Festival sponsors are the Friends of Montpelier, Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, C Street Gallery and Grand Rental Events. For more information, call 301-377-7817.
Ballet Folklorico Mexico
balletEnjoy a weekend performance or weekday matinee by Ballet Folklorico Mexico at the Prince George's Publick Playhouse (Cheverly). Decked out in lavish, flamboyant costumes - some that feature spectacular headdresses that reach a jaw-dropping six feet in length - dancers and musicians present spellbinding performances that span the history and cultures of Mexico. Shows are Sunday, May 1, at 4 pm ($10/person; $8/seniors, students, groups of 15 or more & DancePass holders) and Monday, May 2, at 10:15 am and 12 noon ($6/person; $5/person in groups of 15 or more). Call 301-277-1710 for information and tickets.
FREE fitness programs throughout May
kayakersEating well and exercising regularly are keys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In celebration of 2011 National Fitness Month, the Department of Parks and Recreation invites Prince George's County families to take part in FREE fitness activities during the month of May. Fitness activities will be hosted at M-NCPPC parks and recreation venues throughout the County. Activities offered include FREE programs in aquatics, scenic walks, a Double-Dutch clinic, strength training, ZUMBA, kayaking, and health screenings. Flip through our online brochure and find new ways to get fit, manage stress, or learn a new sport! Click here, look for the entry that says National Fitness Month Free Fitness Program Booklet, and you can read through the list of events.
There's always something good going on in Prince George's County. Browse www.pgparks.com to find out what's happening and where. Sign up for classes and activities using the SMARTlink system. Or check out information on parks and trails, community centers, nature centers, sports and arts facilities, and more.
 
Questions? Contact our Customer Service Help Desk at 301-699-CALL(2255) or e-mail help4smartlink@pgparks.com.
 
Have a great week!
The M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation